Collecting and testing device and method of use

Abstract

The present invention provides a new and improved collecting and testing device comprising a specimen container for collecting and/or storing specimen, a testing chamber having at least one test element, and a conduit for automatically transferring a portion of the specimen from the specimen container to the testing chamber.

1 . A collecting and testing device, comprising:
 a) a specimen container for receiving a specimen, said container comprising (i) an open proximal end through which the specimen is added to the container, and (ii) a distal end;   b) a testing chamber comprising at least a test element; and   c) a conduit comprising two openings that conveys a portion of the specimen from the specimen container to the testing chamber so that a portion of the specimen contacts the test element in the testing chamber,   
       wherein the testing chamber and the specimen container are in indirect fluid communication, the specimen in the specimen container is separable from the specimen in the testing chamber, and the specimen in the testing chamber cannot flow back into the specimen container. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover for covering the open proximal end of the specimen container, and the specimen container has a coupling structure in the top portion of the container for receiving said cover with a mating structure. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the specimen container is substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the testing chamber comprises a proximal end, a distal end, a front wall, and a back wall. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein one opening of the conduit is proximal to a distal end of the specimen container for receiving a portion of the specimen from said container, and another opening of the conduit is proximal to a lower end of the back wall of the testing chamber for sending the specimen into the testing chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit comprises one or more filters that allow a portion of the specimen to flow into the testing chamber, but prevent the specimen from flowing back from the testing chamber to the specimen container. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the testing chamber comprises one or more windows for viewing a test result in the testing chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the testing chamber has a flat surface so that said test result in the testing chamber can be photocopied or scanned. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the testing chamber is capable of trapping air or gas that helps to maintain the specimen to a desirable level in the testing chamber and to prevent the testing chamber from being overloaded with the specimen. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the test element comprises one or more test strips. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the test strip comprises a sample application zone, a reagent zone and a test result zone. 
     
     
         12 . A method of detecting an analyte in a specimen, the method comprises the steps of:
 a. providing a specimen comprising an analyte;   b. applying the specimen to the specimen container of the device of  claim 1 ;   c. automatically transferring a portion of the specimen from the specimen container to the testing chamber of the device of  claim 1  through the conduit of the device of  claim 1 ;   d. contacting the specimen with one or more test elements in the testing chamber; and   e. detecting the analyte in the specimen by the test element in the testing chamber.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the specimen comprises a biological fluid. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the analyte is selected from the group consisting of a hormone, a drug, a protein, and an etiological agent. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the specimen is extracted in the specimen container.